Semi-monthly news and updates about the homes, people, businesses and communities that are featured in Lake Washington 130 Homes. This covers the Lake Washington waterfront in Seattle’s Madison Park, Denny-Blaine and Madrona neighborhoods, Mercer Island, and The Eastside communities of Bellevue, Medina, Hunts Point and Yarrow Point.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Bruce McCaw Sells Medina Mansion

Looking West at Groat Point

The Groat Point Estate

Bruce McCaw sold,
for $15.3 million, his Medina Groat Point estate in January 2011 to to a trustee
for John E. and Debbie Ellison Bacon.
This was the highest priced sale of Lake Washington waterfront
property in 2011. The property was listed for sale in 2009 for $34 million and dropped
to $27 million in 2010. The listing agent was Terre
Foster, Windermere – “The Grand Point of Medina. A landmark offered for the
first time this century. Commanding 527 feet of some of the most coveted waterfront
in the world, the Chateau takes its place among the great estates in the Northwest.
Regal grounds split into expansive views.” The estate has 13,940 sq ft on 1.89 acres
with 527 feet of waterfront, 6 bedrooms and 9 baths.

This is considered Lake Washington’s premiere lot (see earlier
post) with spectacular 300° views that include downtown Bellevue, Mt.Rainier and the Olympics with the top of the Seattle skyline in the foreground. The location is minutes from
downtown Bellevue.

Bruce is the oldest of four brothers
who were the pioneers of cellular communications. He had been listed by Forbes as
one of the wealthiest people in the world but has not been on its recent lists as
a result of declining stock market values. He is now involved in large scale commercial
real estate investments with his Pistol Creek Financial Co. He is also involved
in auto racing as president of Bellevue-based PacWest Racing Group LLC and director
of Michigan-based Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc.

John Bacon, Thomas Ellison and Ellison’s and Debbie’s father,
Bill Ellison (the founder of the company), were the principal owners of
Bellevue-based Savers, Inc. The company is an international chain of thrift
stores and operates under the name of ValueVillage in the PNW. The Bacons and Thomas Ellison own a
mansion about a seventh of a mile to the northeast in MeydenbauerBay that is for sale for $8.9 million.

David, thank you for your valuable contribution to our community knowledge and history. Good work! George Tamblyn - Bruce McCaw didn't get what he wanted for the house, but he just sold his vintage Ferrari for $21 million.

I worked as a painter on the mansion that was built in 86 and 87. It was a fabulous place with no expenses spared built by Roger Montgomery and designed by Vasos Demetrious. Vasos also designed and lived in the modern house across the street. IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE CRIME THAT HOUSE WAS DESTROYED. Effing nouveau riche and their endless need of greed and one upsmanship.

I also worked there as a painter (Hi Phil) while I was in High School. That house was truly amazing. Marble flooring throughout, custom marble tub in the daughter's bathroom. Granite counter tops everywhere. $100k worth of all brass door knobs and hinges. 8'x 8' 1 ton safe door salvaged from a bank in Idaho. Gold leaf on a fire pole in one of the kid's bedrooms. Miles and miles of custom floor and ceiling trim work. It's a tragedy that it was destroyed - what a waste. It is somewhat ironic, however, that it was torn down, as recently the guy who built it just plead guilty to federal fraud and racketeering charges.

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About Me

In August 2009 I wrote and published Lake Washington 130 Homes. I moved to the Seattle area in 1994 from Newport Beach, California. I met my wonderful wife, Susan, and we were married in 2001. She has lived on Mercer Island waterfront for thirty-five years which is where we reside.
The book contains photographs, stories and statistics of 130 mansions and estates that are creatively woven with current and historical information about the homes, owners, their businesses and communities. This book is for anyone who has a fascination with unique homes of the rich and famous or an interest in the Seattle area. This is the first book of its kind publishing pictures of homes, their locations and public information regarding the owners and residents.
Susan and I have 6 children and 6 grandchildren from our previous marriages. We enjoy our family get-togethers!